Sequence varying sign mechanism



April 20, 1937. v F. E. WOOD SEQUENCE VARYING SIGN MECHANISM Filed Jan.- 31, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 0, 1937. E. woon SEQUENCE VARYING SIGN MECHANISM Filed Jan. 31, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 006?, I, p I! I I 4 cfiiiw April 20, 1937. F. E. wooo SEQUENCE VARYING SIGN MECHANISM Filed Jan. a1, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 A -i120, 1937. F. EQWooD 2,077,976

SEQUENCE VARYING SIGN MECHANISM Filed Jan. 51, 1935 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 LYN.)

fed-37.2 062? Patented Apr. 20, 1937 UNITED STAT SEQUENCE VARYING SIGN MECHANISM Fred E. Wood,

GlenEllyn, Ill.

Application January 31, 1935, Serial No. 4,419

13 Claims.

This invention relates to sequence-varying sign mechanism and more particularly to mechanism by which the sequence of operations of display or sign apparatus is varied; the operations follow no predetermined order or sequence.

An object of the invention is to provide a control mechanism which may be used with signs or other devices, such control mechanism serving to vary the order of operations so that they follow no regular sequence or routine. A further object is to provide electric switch mechanism which is operated in such a way as to produce an uncertain or chance operation of electric mechanism controlled by it. Other specific objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

The invention is illustrated, in a preferred embodiment, by the accompanying drawings, in whichmy invention; Fig. 2, a side view in elevation;

taken as indicated at line I of Fig. 1; Fig. 8, a

view taken as indicated at line 8 of Fig. 7; Fig. 9, a View taken as indicated at line 9 of Fig. 7; Fig. 10, a sectional view, the section being taken as 5 indicated at line I0 of Fig. 8; Fig. 11, a sectional detail view, the section being taken at line i l of Fig. 7; and Fig. 12, a schematic view of the wiring layout.

The embodiment illustrated consists broadly of a distributor drum bearing contact rings engaged by stationary brushes, a control drum mounted for rotation along with said distributor drum and equipped with switches adapted to be actuated by balls, and a rotatably mounted wheel serving to carry the balls after they have served their function of actuating the switches back to a position where they may again be brought into engagement with the switches. The construction of the switch drum is such that the balls fall by chance rather than by any predetermined sequence into the switch openings, thus bringing about an uncertain or constantly varying operation of electrical sign apparatus which is placed in circuit with the control apparatus.

In theillustration given, A designates the dis-' Figure 1 is a plan view of apparatus embodying v two as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6; Fig. '7, a view tributer drum; B, the control or switch drum; and C, the wheel which returns the balls to their original starting position. 4

The drums A and B and the wheel C are all mounted on the same shaft l0 which is supported upon bracket supports I l and are secured together by means of rod l2 so that they rotate in unison. The drum A is equipped with a pulley I3 engaged by belt i i which in turn is driven by motor I5.

The drum A may be of any suitable construction. In the illustration given, it comprises a cylinder having a large number of wires l6 extending around it, each of the wires being connected by a strap extending transversely of the drum and within a groove therein to a connector member I8. The wire rings are thus insulated from each other, and each Wire is connected only to its particular transverse strap. A plurality of spring fingers H] are resiliently supported in contact with the wires 16. The fingers are clamped between insulating blocks 20. Connected to the lower ends of each of the spring fingers [9 are wires which may lead to various types of electrical signs. For the purpose of illustration, a series of light bulbs 22 mounted within their sockets 23 are shown, such sockets being connected to the spring fingers by the wires 2i.

The electrical connections I8 to which straps H are attached are also releasably provided with connecter wires 24 which lead into the switch drum.

The insulation blocks 20 which clamp the brushes or fingers I9 between them are carried by the metal bracket 25 which is bolted to the base A.

The control drum or switch drum B is provided with two series of openings 26, the openings being spaced from each other irregular distances and extending radially within the drum. As shown more clearly in Figs. 4, 5 and 6, each of the openings 26 is provided with a reduced bore extension 2'l. A plunger support 28 rests upon shoulder 29 and provides a guide for the switch plunger 30. The upper end of the plunger 30 is reduced in diameter and carries a button 3|. Spring 32 urges the plunger toward the raised position shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The lower portion of the plunger 30 is provided with a band of insulation 33. As shown more clearly in Fig. 4, the ball opening 26 is provided with a pair of diametrically opposed grooves 34 which merge into laterally extending slots 35 at the sides of which are supported contacts 36 and 31. Secured within the plunger support 28 are spring contact members 38 which are provided with contact faces .plunger button 3! may be employed.

39 adapted normally to engage the insulation band 33 as shown in Fig. 4. When, however, the plunger is depressed through the action of a ball, as will be hereinafter described, the uninsulated portion of the plunger above the band 33 is brought into engagement with contact faces 39 and thereby a connection is established between the contact points 36 and 31. The plunger mechanism may be introduced into the opening 26 by arranging the spring members 38 within the slots 34 and pressing them downwardly until they expand within the slot 35 and into engagement with contacts 35 and 31. Contact wire 36 connects either directly or, in combination with other wires, with a Wire 24 and one of the C01 nections It! on drum A and therethrough with one of the rings I6 on drum A. Wire 31 connects with a ring 40 carried at the end of the drum B adjacent wheel C. As illustrated more clearly in Fig. '7, and also in Fig. 12, the wires 36 may be connected in some instances, or may be continued as single connecting wires to the connectors l8. In order to prevent the wires 36 from being exposed at the end of drum B, I provide grooves 41 about each of the wires 3,5.

It will be understood that instead of employing the simple contact arrangement shown in Fig. 4, in which two contacts are formed'by the movement of plunger 30, a plurality of contacts may be made with very slight changes in construction of the device. Structure in which six contacts are formed is shown in Fig. 6a.

Each of the openings 26 is sufficiently large to receive a ball .42. The ball, when it falls within opening 26, rests upon the button 3| and is then engaged by means hereinafter described which causes the ball to press the plunger downwardly.

Any suitable means for engaging the balls 42 and forcing them downwardly against the In the illustration given, I provide a pair of abutments 43 and 44 which areadjustably mounted on base A and which are Substantially semi-circular in shape. As shown more clearly in Figs. '7 and. 10, the forward end of the abutment is beveled slightly as indicated by the numeral .45 so as to engage the top of the ball 42 as the ball is rotated with the drum B, and thus force it down into the opening 26.

On the opposite side of the drum from the stationary abutments 43 and 44 is a stationary frame member 46 adjustably mounted .on frame A as shown more clearly in Fig. 3. The irame member 46 is provided with a beam 41 which extends below the bottom of drum B and is provided with an inclined surface 48 by which the balls, as they drop from the openings 26, are directed laterally into recesses carried by wheel C. The inclined wall 48 is shown more clearly in Fig. 9 and also in dotted lines in Fig. 7. The frame member 46 extends around a portion of the drum B, and near the upper side of the drum, is'provided with a fixed Wall 49 which is adapted to engage and hold balls discharged laterally from wheel C onto drum B.

The wheel C is provided with an annular recess 50 having inclined walls 5| and 52. The shape of the recess, when brought into alignment with the inclined Wall 48 in beam 41, is shown in Fig. 9, the recess providing av receptacle for the balls. The shape of the recess at the top of the wheel is shown in Fig. 8, the inclination of the Wall 5| serving to discharge the balls onto the control drum B. A series of spaced partitions 53 divide the annular recess 50 into separate ball compartments.

It will be observed from the foregoing description of the switch or control drum B and distributor drum A, that an almost infinite variety of operations may be caused to follow from changes in the switch mechanism; 1. e., increasing the number of contacts about the switches, and also from changes in the contact bands I6 about the drum A. As illustrating the latter changes, the drum A is shown equipped at its innermost end with several segmental or interrupted bands 54. The fingers I9 engaging such bands cause the corresponding light bulbs to be illuminated for very brief periods of time as the drum rotates. Considerable variation can be made in the arrangement, shape and character ofv the band I 6 about drum A.

Other changes affecting the operation are obvious.

In the diagrammatic showing of the wiring layout in Fig. 12,]the incoming current is represented by line 55 and the outg ing line by the numeral 56. The motor i5 is illustrated as shown within a closed circuit connected to'lines 55 and 56. It will be understood that beyond the lower ends of lines 55 and 56 is located a suitable control switch. Tracing the flow of the current through line 55, it will be observed that the current passes through spring finger I9, ring l6, line 24, line 36,-into the circular ring 40. From ring 40, the current passes through line 31 and through the switch located in opening 26 into the line or lines 35 and wires 24 which connect therewith, and thence through one or more of the rings l6 and the corresponding finger or fingers l9, through lines 2| to one of the light'bulbs22. After passing through the light filament, the current passes back through one of the lines 5"! and out through line 56.

The drums A and B are shown disposed in different planes for the purpose of clarity. A plan view is given of the drum A While an end view is given of the drum B. The end view of the 'drum B is the same as that shown in Fig. 7. Both drums A and B are driven by the same motor l5, as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3. The two drums A and B are connected by a pin l2 which extends into both drums, as shown more clearly in Fig. 11, thus causing both drums to rotate together.

Operation.

In the operation of the device, a ball or plurality of balls 42 are placed onto the control drum B adjacent the wall 49, The switch is then closed to start the motor, and the drums A and B and the wheel C start rotating together. As drum 13 rotates, openings 26 therein are brought into registration with certain of the balls 42, and as the balls are carried forward within the openings, they are engaged by fixed abutment 43 or 44, and are pressed downwardly thereby so as to actuate the switches located within openings 26. The downward movement of a ball 42 depresses plunger 30 and brings contact fingers 39 into engagement with the metallic conducting portion of the plunger. The current then flows through the contact wire 31, plunger 30 and contact wires 36. The circuit controlled by the particular switch actuated is thereby closed so that the corresponding light bulb connected in the circuit is illumie nated. If the switch connects a plurality of lights, these particular light bulbs will be illuminated. As the drum B continues to rotate, the ball which has actuated a switch drops out of its opening 26 into the hollow beam 41, and the inclined wall 48 causes the ball to roll laterally into one of the pockets provided in wheel C. The position of the ball at this point is illustrated clearly in Fig. 9. As the wheel continues to rotate, it carries the ball to the position shown in Fig. 9, at which the ball rolls downwardly along inclined wall 5| onto drum B, where it is held by stationary abutment 69 in a position to reengage one of the openings 26.

The movement of the balls in rolling upon the top of drum B brings about an uncertain or chance operation so that they follow no regular sequence in engaging the openings 26. Also, the number and location of the switch openings on the drum may be changed so as to exercise a certain control over the frequency but not the order of sequence.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 12, the switches are provided with multiple spring contacts, each lead 36 from the switch being connected to a separate spring 38 which'is insulated from each other spring contact 38 when the switch is in normal (undepressed) position.

Each line 36 represents a connection with an individual spring member 38 (Figure 4) of the switches in pockets 26. It will be clear in Fig. 4 that electrical contact cannot be made between spring members 38 if plunger 36 is not depressed, as each contact face 39 of spring members 38 will be resting on insulation hand 33. Electrical contact can only be established between spring members 38 when plunger 30 is depressed thus causing the uninsulated portion of the plunger above the band of insulation 33 to be brought into engagement with contact faces 39. This insulation between lines 36 renders it possible to illuminate parts of display devices singly, in a predetermined group or groups and/or in a predetermined sequence or sequences.

This may be more clearly shown by following the connections to the third light up from the bottom in the right row. This light may be illuminated singly, in a predetermined group and in a predetermined sequence as described below. If the switches 26 are numbered I thru l0, respectively, clockwise, starting from 12 oclock it willbe noted that switch Ill illuminates this lamp alone thru line 36, line 24, ring l6, spring finger l9, and line 2|. Switch I0 is connected also to one of the spring members 38 in switch I which is in turn connected to the second light up from the bottom in the right roW. This latter light will not be illuminated by the operation of switch I0 as the line connecting switches l and I 0 is dead ended against insulation band 33 in switch I. When switch I is operated, both the second and third lamps from the bottom in the right row are illuminated following a similar course of circuit to that described above from switch It]. As before the connection between switches 2 and 3 is dead ended at the insulation band 33 in switch 3 so that when only switch I is operated any lamps connected to switch 3 other than the second and third lamps in the right row will remain unilluminated. When switch 1 is operated three lamps are affected in sequence. The upper lamp in the right row is illuminated first and remains lighted as long as switch 1 is engaged. The rotation of the drum then brings segmental ring 54 (second from the top on drum A) in contact with its corresponding spring finger l9 and causes the third lamp from the bottom in the left row to be illuminated. Further rotation of the drum causes segmental ring 53 (second from the top) to be disengaged from its spring finger 19, thus disconnecting the third lamp from the bottom in the left row and at the same instant the top segmental ring 54% is engaged with its corresponding spring finger l3 thereby causing the third lamp. from the bottom in the right row to be illuminated. The result is a predetermined sequence between three lamps. It will be clear that the segmental rings must be located on drum A with respect to the switch which energizes them, as their position on drum A determines the duration of the illumination as well as the time of energizing the circuit connecting the display devices with respect to the time the switch is closed. It will be clear that any lamp or display device can be connected to complete rings l6 and segmental rings 54 and thereby become parts of one or more groups and/or parts of one or more sequences as well as being illuminated singly by one or more switches. It will also be clear that by employing segmental rings 56 of different lengths the duration of the illuminationperiodmay be varied. A number of balls will engage more than one switch at a time and at chance intervals and the results will be av wide variety of combinations.

If desired, the drums A and B and wheel C may be made in a unitary structure; however, for the purpose of repair and adjustment, I prefer to have the three members separably secured together for operation by the longitudinal pin [2.

It is known that attempts have been made heretofore to produce a sequence-varying control mechanism in which balls are employed, however, such mechanism, as far as I am aware, have proved to be inoperative.

While, for the purpose of illustration, I have shown the control apparatus connected with electric light bulbs, it will be understood that such connection is for the purpose of illustration only, and that the wires 2! may be connected toany suitable display apparatus, or employed for controlling any electrical display operations. Also, it Will be understood that the principles of my invention may be employed in connection with mechanical devices as well as bringing said ball into and .out of chance en gagement with said pockets to operate said switches, said means including means for discharging said ball on the top of said drum and returning said ball to said point of discharge after it has operated one of said switches, said means comprising a wheel equipped laterally with pockets and rotatably mounted with said drum, and means for directing the ball from said drum into one of said pockets.

2. In sequence-varying control. mechanism, a

rotatable member equipped. with distributor rings of varying lengths and. with switches, fixed.

spring fingers engaging. said rings, display devices, wire connections placing. said distributor rings, spring fingers and switches in circuit with said display devices, meansv for rotating said rotatable member, balls adapted to close said switches and means for repeatedly bringing balls into and out of chance contact withthe switches thereon to close said switches.

3. In sequence-varying control mechanism, a rotatable member equipped with distributor rings and with switches, some of. said. distributor rings being continuous and some being segmental, display devices, fixed spring fingers engaging said rings, Wire connections placing said distributor rings, spring fingers and switches in circuits with said display devices, means for rotating said rotatable member, balls,.and means for repeatedly bringing balls into and out. of chance contact with the switches:- thereon to close said switches.

4. In sequence-varying controlv mechanism, a rotatably mounted member provided with switches, a ball, display devices connected in circuit with said. switches and energized when said ball is in engagement with. said switch and deenergized when saidball is not in contact with said switch, and means for repeatedly removing said ball from. said rotatably mounted member and returning said ball; to said rotatable member and into chance contact with said switches to operate said switches, and means for rotating said rotatably mounted member.

5. In sequence-varying control mechanism, a rotatably mounted drum having its peripheral surface provided with laterally related openings, switches, display devices connected in circuit with said switches and controlled by the opening and closing thereof, a ball, and means for repeatedly bringing the ball onto. said surface and into an opening by chance and removing it from said drum surface thereafter, means for operating one of said switches by said. ball when in an opening and means for rotating said rotatable member.

6. In sequence-varying control mechanism, adrum having pockets in its periphery, switches in said pockets, display devices connected in. circuits with said switches, a movable object, means for bringing said movable object into-and out of said openings to operate said switches at random intervals, and presser means for directing said movable object as it enters one of said openings into positive contact with the switch. therein.

7. In a sequence-varying control mechanism, a drum having laterally related cavities. in its outer portion, switches, balls, display devices, circuit means connecting said switches and display devices so that operation of said switches controls the display of said display devices, means for repeatedly bringing saidballs into and out of chance engagement with said cavities, and

means for operating said switches when said balls are in chance'engagement with said cavities.

8. In a sequence-varying control mechanism, a drum having laterally. relating cavities. in its outer portions, switches, means. for mounting acme-m said. switches within the cavities, balls, display devices, circuit means connecting said switches and display devices so that operation of said switches controls the display of said display devices, means. for repeatedly bringing said balls into and out of chance engagement with said cavities, and means for operating said switches when said balls are in chance engagement with said cavities.

9. In sequence-varying control mechanism, a drum with pockets in its periphery, switches mounted in said pockets, display devices connected in circuits, withsaid switches, a ball, means for bringing said ball into and out of chance engagement with said pockets to operate said switches, said means including means for discharging said ball :on the top of said drum and returning said ballto said point of discharge after it has operated one of said switches.

10. In sequence-varying control mechanism, a rotatably mounted drum and wheel adjacent each other, said wheel being provided laterally with pockets adjacent said drum, ,a ball, said pockets being so formed as to receive said ball when the pocket is in lowermost position and discharge the ball when in uppermost position, means associated with said drum for discharging said ball. into said pocket when the same is. in lowermost position, the said drum being adapted to receive said ball when it is discharged from said pocket when it is in uppermost position, switches carried by said drum, presser means adapted to urge said ball against said switches to actuate the same, and means for rotating said wheel and drum to bring said'ball into random contact with said switches.

11. In sequence-varying control mechanism, a v equipped with.

rotatably mounted member switches, display, devices, a plurality ofcircuit means connecting said display devices with said switches, a movable object, means for repeatedlyi,

closing and opening, said'switches with said movable object at intervals governed by, chance, means to energize and de-energize portions of said circuit: means when said movable object is in chance contact with said switches, and means for rotating said rotatably mounted member.

12. In sequence-varying control mechanism, display devices, electric contacts, circuit means connecting said electric contacts with said display devices, movable objects, means for repeatedly bringing said movable objects into and out of chance engagement with said electric contacts to energize and de-ener-gize a predetermined portion of said circuit means by one switch and in combination with other predetermined portions of said circuit means by other switches.

13. In sequence-varying control mechanism, display devices, electric contacts connected in circuit with display devices, movable objects, means for repeatedly bringing said movable objects into and out of chance engagement with said electric contacts to energize and de-energize them, means connecting said contacts with" said display devices whereby certain of said display devices are operated in a predetermined sequence upon the energizing of certain of said contacts.

FRED E. WOOD. 

